enter

en|ter [ `entər ] verb ***

1. ) intransitive or transitive to go or come into a place:

Soldiers entered the houses, apparently searching for weapons.

The man had entered through the back door.

The bullet missed his kidney because it entered his body at an angle.

They were imprisoned for illegally entering the country.

a ) transitive to start or reach a particular period of time in a process or activity:

The war had already entered its third week.

b ) transitive to begin to affect someone's actions or behavior:

A hint of emotion entered his voice for the first time.

2. ) transitive to start to take part in a particular activity or work in a particular job:

There are dozens of new companies entering the software market.

She had hoped to enter the legal profession.

a ) intransitive or transitive if you enter a race or competition, or someone enters you, you put your name on the list of those taking part:

She's entered several poetry competitions.

Each owner can enter a horse for a maximum of three races.

The competition is free, and anyone over the age of 18 can enter.

3. ) transitive to write something somewhere, for example in a book, on a form, or on a computer:

You enter the customer's name on this line.

Enter your user name and password.

a ) to state something officially:

A number of complaints have been entered by senior members.

enter a plea of (=say formally whether you are guilty of a crime): The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.

enter your mind/head

if a thought enters your head, you think about it or consider it: CROSS YOUR MIND:

Why such a bizarre notion should have entered her head I cannot imagine.

It never entered my head to do anything else.

,enter `into phrasal verb transitive enter into something

1. ) to start to take part in an official discussion or other formal activity:

The government had entered into a genuine dialogue with the terrorists.

a ) to agree to be part of an official agreement or contract:

In 1986, the organization entered into an agreement with a private firm to operate the security system.

2. ) to be an important aspect of a situation:

When companies are trying to save money, loyalty to workers doesn't enter into it.

enter into the spirit (of something)

to behave in the enthusiastic way that people expect in a particular situation, for example in a game or at a party

`enter on or `enter u,pon phrasal verb transitive FORMAL

enter on/upon something to begin something or begin to take part in something